Malaysia Tourist Visa
When it comes to entering Malaysia, the requirements are very particular. Some foreign nationals do not need to obtain a visa in order to be able to visit for a brief amount of time. Conversely, some travelers must submit an application for a Malaysia tourist visa before they can arrive in the country.
Additionally, a Malaysia tourist visa is not all the permission you need to actually enter the country. You will also need a Short Term Social Visit Pass, which an Immigration Officer will grant you at the Malaysian point of entry.
This article will detail the Malaysia tourist visa: what it is, who needs it, and how to apply for one.
What is a Malaysia Tourist Visa?
A Malaysia tourist visa is:
- A Single Entry Visa, which means you can only use it to enter the country once. Multiple-entry visas, which have a longer validity, are not usually issued for tourism purposes.
- A Visa Without Reference, which means you don’t need to receive permission from the Immigration Department of Malaysia to receive it. It is the Malasyian Representative Office Abroad (Embassy/Consulate) in which you apply who issues it.
- A pre-entry requirement into the country, which means it only allows you to travel to Malaysia. It does not guarantee that you will actually enter Malaysia.
The decision on whether or not you can enter Malaysia or not is up to an Immigration Officer at the point of entry where you arrive. Immigration Officers decide on whether a foreign national is fit to enter Malaysia, regardless of whether they need a visa and their purpose of travel.
If they decide that you are fit to enter, you will receive a Pass (ie. a stamp on your passport), depending on why you want to enter. For tourism, the type of Malaysia Pass you receive is a Short Term Social Visit Pass.
Who Needs a Malaysia Tourist Visa?
You only need to apply for a Malaysian tourist visa if you are from one of the following countries:
| Afghanistan | Angola | Bangladesh | Bhutan |
| Burkina Faso | Burundi | Cameroon | Central African Republic |
| China | Colombia | Comoros | Congo Democratic Republic |
| Congo Republic | Côte D’Ivoire | Djibouti | Equatorial Guinea |
| Eritrea | Ethiopia | Ghana | Guinea-Bissau |
| Hong Kong | India | Liberia | Mali |
| Mozambique | Myanmar | Nepal | Niger |
| Niger | Pakistan | Rwanda | Serbia |
| Montenegro | Sri Lanka | United Nations (Laissez Passer | Western Sahara |
Nationals of other countries do not have to apply for a visa if they are only entering Malaysia for a short period of time and for tourism purposes. Some countries can stay in Malaysia without a visa for longer than others.